Paul Quinn Secures Victory Over North American, 77-68
Stafford, TX – January 9, 2025 – Thursday evening, the Paul Quinn Tigers (8-8, 7-6) secured a hard-fought 77-68 victory over North American (6-7, 8-9) at the Stafford MSN. Behind a dominant offensive performance from Canai McPherson, the Tigers managed to maintain their lead and close out a crucial road win.
McPherson Leads the Charge
Paul Quinn's offensive efforts were spearheaded by Canai McPherson, who delivered an outstanding performance with 35 points, shooting 11-for-19 from the field, including five three-pointers. McPherson also showcased efficiency at the free-throw line, converting 8-of-9 attempts.
Cierra Taylor contributed with 10 points, a team-high 10 assists, and two steals, displaying excellent playmaking ability. Alura Lofton added 13 points while knocking down three shots from beyond the arc.
Balanced Team Effort
The Tigers shot 45.6% from the field and 42.3% from three-point range, capitalizing on key scoring opportunities. Their ability to hit free throws at 87.5% efficiency proved crucial in maintaining their lead.
Paul Quinn shared the ball very well, recording 25 assists as a team, which played a significant role in their offensive rhythm. Despite turning the ball over 16 times, they converted North American's mistakes into 21 points.
North American's Fightback Falls Short
For North American, Kaci Johnson led with 15 points and seven rebounds, followed by Akyrah Hodges, who came off the bench to score 14. Elisa Peralta and Aliyah Solis each contributed double-digit scoring efforts, but the team struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 20% of their three-point attempts.
Despite winning the rebounding battle (38-33) and scoring 50 points in the paint, North American couldn't overcome Paul Quinn's perimeter shooting and transition play. Their 14 turnovers also proved costly in the defeat.
Key Moments
- Paul Quinn outscored North American in the third quarter 22-14, creating a pivotal cushion.
- North American attempted a late push in the fourth quarter but couldn't close the gap as Paul Quinn remained efficient from the free-throw line.
- The Tigers' bench played a significant role, contributing 28 points to secure the win.
Looking Ahead
Paul Quinn will build momentum as they continue their conference schedule, while North American will aim to bounce back in their next matchup.